UCPD Police are looking for a Latino or African American man
with a stocky build who is believed to be sexually assaulting women
in Lots 2 and 3.
By Linh Tat
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Police are looking for a man they believe is responsible for a
series of sexual batteries on campus.
In each incident, the suspect approached women ““ all under
the age of 30 ““ from behind as they walked to their cars
alone in Lots 2 and 3. The suspect reportedly grabbed the
victims’ breasts before fleeing the scene.
The last incident occurred Saturday, making this the seventh
case reported since Aug. 22.
The suspect is described as a Latino or African American man in
his early twenties with a stocky build and closely shaven hair. He
is between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall. On one
occasion, he reportedly wore a hooded shirt.
Though most incidents took place on a Tuesday or Wednesday
between 4 and 4:30 p.m., Saturday’s case was the first time
the assault occurred over the weekend.
“This was one day we were very limited on manpower,”
said Sgt. Phil Baguiao of the university police department.
According to Baguiao, there are usually fewer cars parked in the
lot on Saturdays. He said police were surprised to hear the
incident occurred that day.
During the most recent case, which occurred at 2:25 p.m. in Lot
2, the suspect reportedly placed his hand between the
victim’s legs.
After the fourth assault, on Aug. 29, university police began
stationing plainclothes officers in the two lots during the hours
they suspected the man to attack. This went on for about three
weeks, according to Baguiao.
UCPD posted a notice warning the public about the incidents on
Sept. 7. They are advising the public to be aware of their
surroundings and to walk with friends.
“Just because you’re at UCLA, it doesn’t mean
crimes that occur off-campus don’t occur on-campus,”
Baguiao said.
Police surveying the lots noticed that many women were still
walking to their cars alone.
“We suggest people walk with friends because the people
being approached are alone,” said Nancy Greenstein, director
of community services for UCPD.
Some students who have seen the bulletins posted said they are
being more careful. “I try to park as close to the entrance
as I can for safety reasons,” said Laura Stone, a third-year
business-economics student who parks in Lot 2.
Baguiao said anyone who has been a victim of sexual battery
““ defined as having a sexually offensive contact with another
person without their consent ““ should contact police
immediately.
He said in some of these groping incidents, the victims did not
report the case to police until a day later.
“Our chances for apprehension are better the closer to the
incident it gets reported,” he said.
Though violent crimes do not happen every day, this isn’t
the first time UCPD has dealt with cases.
In 1999, UCPD received five reports of sex offenses in which
there was physical contact and none without, such as flashing
““ down from a total of 28 incidents in 1998.
“Crimes in the parking structure are not a daily
occurrence,” Baguiao said. “Crimes against persons such
as these? Yes, we do get those on occasion.”
To report an incident, call UCPD at (310) 825-1491.